Thailand star Chanathip Songkrasin will not be joining up with the War Elephants squad for their upcoming international games against Congo and the UAE after an injury he sustained while playing for his club side Consadole Sapporo.
Chanathip, one of four foreign-based players in the senior national team, was injured in a warm-up on Friday as his Consadole Sapporo prepared to take on Gamba Osaka in a J.League match. The attacking midfielder was then left on the bench as his team proceeded to lose 5-0 against a side who have been on inconsistent form themselves.
As a result, Chanathip will miss Thailand’s upcoming games during the international break. These include a friendly against Congo and a crucial World Cup qualifying home match against the UAE.
He joins what is becoming a lengthy injury list for the War Elephants with fellow J-League player Thitipan Puangchan, Samut Prakan City captain Peeradol Chamrasamee and Bangkok United’s Tristan Do.
Widely considered as the War Elephants’ brightest talent, Chanathip hauled his side out of trouble at the AFC Asian Cup earlier this year, and played a vital tactical role in Akira Nishino’s system for Thailand’s first two games even though he didn’t get on the scoresheet himself.